The dominance of UAE Team Emirates continues. Once again, Adam Yates and Joao Almeida showed the competition the limits and shook them off. Shortly before the finish line, Almeida showed greatness and left the day's victory to his captain Adam Yates. It was the third day in a row on which Yates and Almeida shared first and second place. Behind the two team-mates, the young Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech) was once again strong as a bear. He finished third.
Yates and Almeida in a league of their own
Adam Yates leads the overall classification by around half a minute ahead of Joao Almeida. Before tomorrow's final mountain time trial, the only question is which of the two UAE riders will take the overall victory. In third place, Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) is already almost two minutes behind, while fourth-placed Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) is almost three minutes behind. UAE Team Emirates continues to roll over the competition, who are seemingly powerless against their superiority.
"I asked Joao if I could win the stage and he agreed straight away. He's a great guy with a strong character. Chapeau to him!" - Adam Yates in the winner's interview about team-mate Joao Almeida
Tour de Suisse 2024: Results - The top 10 of stage 7
- Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) 3:05:41
- Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +0:00
- Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech) +0:14
- Wilco Kelderman (Visma | Lease a Bike) +0:16
- Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +0:16
- Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) +0:16
- Oscar Onley (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +0:16
- Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) +0:16
- Felix Gall (Decahtlon AG2R La Mondiale) +0:32
- Enric Mas (Movistar) +0:35
Tour de Suisse 2024: The current standings in the overall standings
- Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) 19:45:17
- Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +0:31
- Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) +1:51
- Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +2:50
- Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech) +3:02
- Enric Mas (Movistar) +3:23
- Thomas Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) +3:54
- Oscar Onley (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +4:03
- Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +4:41
- Wilco Kelderman (Visma | Lease a Bike) +4:59
How the 7th stage of the Tour de Suisse 2024 went
On the 118-kilometre stage with start and finish in Villars-sur-Ollon, it took a few kilometres and breakaway attempts before the day's leading group was formed. It consisted of eight riders: Harold Martin Lopez (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Finlay Pickering (Bahrain-Virctorious), Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Einer Rubio (Movistar), Johannes Staune-Mittet (Visma | Lease a Bike), Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates), Sylvain Moniquet and Maxim Van Gils (both Lotto-Dstny).
Staune-Mittet sets itself apart
In the peloton, UAE Team Emirates and Ineos Grenadiers took care of the chase. The two teams did not let the breakaway go too far. On the climb up to the Col de la Croix, the leading group broke up: 57 kilometres before the finish, Johannes Staune-Mittet broke away and distanced the remaining escapees. They were caught again before the mountain classification at the Col de la Croix.
Ineos sets the pace
In the subsequent descent, the only remaining breakaway rider Staune-Mittet was able to extend his lead over the peloton, but his chances of success were still slim at this point. UAE Team Emirates was in full control of the peloton at this point. Ineos Grenadiers then upped the pace on the final climb.
Attacks by the favourites
The first attack in the finale four kilometres before the finish was made by Felix Gall, who was the first rider to pass Staune-Mittet. A short time later, Joao Almeida attacked, followed immediately by Adam Yates, Matthew Riccitello and Wilco Kelderman. Yates and Almeida gradually shook off their two rivals and also passed Gall. At the finish, Yates was able to celebrate the day's victory thanks to the strong gesture of his team-mate.
